Hotel, service firms lauded

Chamber spotlights development

SAN ANGELO, Texas - Stephen King and Alfred Hitchcock penned pure fiction in their harrowing tales about Overlook Hotel in "The Shining" and the Bates Motel in "Psycho." Unlike the famous writer and director, San Angeloan Mark Harati didn't make up his story about living through his own hotel of horrors in the San Angelo Inn.

A few years ago Harati, owner of a small remodeling company, contracted to renovate the downtown hotel and would experience a "nightmare" for that decision over the next couple of years. Today, the hotel has taken a complete 180-degree turn, and that effort was commended as Harati, the hotel's owner, was one of six recipients at the annual Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Awards on Tuesday.

"When I got involved then it was a complete nightmare," Harati said. "The hotel needed a lot of work — too much work. But we worked hard and I had a great group of people (who) helped turn it from having a bad reputation to being respectable in the community."

As a contractor on the hotel years ago, Harati was swindled into $600,000 worth of renovations by then-Penta Hospitality, a California-based hotel management company, Harati said. After a drawn-out legal battle, courts awarded Harati the hotel as part of the settlement with Penta. The hotel came to Harati with a slew of debt and a bad reputation after blackballing a number of local organizations over the past few years.

Harati eventually filed for bankruptcy, and with the help of a hotel management firm started to rebuild the both the hotel's physical plant and its reputation. Today it is the lone full-service hotel in the city and has the Clarion brand.

In 2012 its sales increased 182 percent, the square footage grew by 686 percent, and 25 additional people were hired.

"We've been at full capacity for a while now, and things have only gotten better since the oil boom," Harati said. "Back then, barely anybody knew we were even open, and there were days when nobody would be staying. Things are looking good."

Three other companies were honored by the chamber for expansion in 2012.

Snider Technology, a company that aids small and medium-sized businesses in business technology, was recognized for its location upgrade. The company bought a rundown building on Main Street and renovated it along with a new parking lot and landscaping. It grew 300 percent in square footage, and business increased by 283 percent as three new employees were hired in 2012.

Patriot Automation and Control, a comprehensive electrical solutions provider, earned recognition for its expansion in sales, square footage and employment in 2012. Sales increased by 121 percent, square footage expanded by 43 percent and 50 new employees were hired because of a significant rise in sales.

TimeClock Plus, a time clock technology manufacturer and service center, also was honored for its expansion efforts. The company moved into a new location in the former Sitel building off Loop 306, resulting in a 34 percent increase in square footage. Sales for the company increased by 16 percent and employment grew by 7 percent. The company has made an effort to support the community through its numerous donations, grants and sponsorships.

Scott Turner, vice president of marketing for TimeClock Plus, recalled attending a Christmas party at owner Jorge Ellis' home 20 years ago when a handful of workers who comprised the entire company would fit in his living room. Last Christmas, the company rented out The Venue to host its annual party and accommodate the more than 100 employees.

"At our company, we're used to breaking records," Turner said. "For more than two decades we've had a record sale from the last almost every single year. That means every year our company had its very best year. Always achieving our goal is just a part of our culture."

Two other groups, Texas Pacifico Transportation and Shannon Clinic, received special awards for their vast impact on the region in 2012.

"Our community is looking toward some great economic opportunities. Along with that will come great economic challenges," said John Dugan, vice president of marketing and recruitment for the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce.

"We're seeing energy moving in our direction, and we know what's about to happen to us. What we have to do in the community, and it certainly starts with the members of the chamber in this room, is to remember our local businesses are going to be coming first."